Flexible Glass Cover Window Layering for Fold Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer films used in flexible cover windows for displays have low mechanical strength, resistance to shock, and high cost, leading to wrinkles and damage with repeated folding, while glass-based alternatives face challenges in balancing thickness for strength and folding characteristics, compromising aesthetics and texture.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover window design featuring a glass substrate with a protective film layer and hard coating layer, supported by an adhesive buffer layer, enhances strength and folding characteristics while maintaining glass texture and reducing thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a polymer film is used for the cover window, then flexibility is achieved, but mechanical strength and shock resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a glass substrate with a polymer film layer. The glass substrate provides high mechanical strength and shock resistance, while the polymer film layer maintains flexibility and enables folding. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between strength and flexibility by integrating materials with complementary properties.
2Strength
If glass thickness is increased to improve strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but folding characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover window is segmented into multiple functional layers: a glass substrate for strength and a separate polymer film layer for flexibility. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, enabling the glass to be thin yet strong while maintaining folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite structure where the glass substrate and polymer film work together, the system achieves both high strength and good folding characteristics. The polymer film acts as a flexible coating on the glass, allowing the glass to be thinner than it would need to be if used alone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If glass thickness is reduced to improve folding characteristics, then folding characteristics are improved, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure compensates for the reduced glass thickness by adding a polymer film layer that contributes to overall mechanical strength. This allows the glass to be thinner for better folding while the polymer layer makes up for the lost strength.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a polymer film is used for the cover window, then flexibility is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer film layer serves multiple functions: it provides flexibility for folding, enhances mechanical strength, improves shock resistance, and can incorporate touch sensor functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, potentially lowering overall system cost despite the added material.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a glass-based flexible cover window with improved strength including a planar portion formed so as to correspond to a planar region of a flexible display and a folding portion formed so as to be connected to the planar portion, the folding portion being formed so as to correspond to a folding region of the flexible display, wherein the flexible cover window includes a glass substrate, an adhesive buffer layer formed on the glass substrate, a protective film layer formed on the adhesive buffer layer, and a hard coating layer formed on the protective film layer. The protective film layer is formed on the glass substrate, whereby strength and folding characteristics of the flexible cover window are improved, and inherent texture of glass is maintained while the overall thickness of the flexible cover window is reduced, and therefore aesthetics of the flexible cover window are improved.